If you suffer from seasonal allergies or food allergies, you can prevent and treat your allergy symptoms by changing your diet. Seasonal allergies are allergic reactions that transpire during the spring and summer months when pollen and mold counts are at their peak. Food allergies are mostly found during childhood but can develop at any time in your life. If you suspect that your allergies are being affected by certain foods in your diet, talk with your doctor to receive a diagnosis and treatment options. Do not change your diet without your doctor's supervision.
Types of Allergies
Seasonal allergies, or hay fever, are allergic reactions to airborne substances such as pollen, mold and dust. When you inhale the allergen, your immune system reacts to the substance as if it was harmful and releases a chemical attack against the allergen. A food allergy is a chronic allergy condition that is triggered by the proteins in certain foods. After eating a certain type of food, your body experiences various unpleasant symptoms that can lead to a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
Cause
Both food allergies and hay fever are caused by an exaggerated immune system response. When you ingest or inhale a substance that your body doesn't recognize, it releases immunoglobulin E, or IgE, antibodies to fight it off, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. When IgE antibodies are present in your body, certain cells called mast cells produce histamine, a chemical that helps to protect the body. The higher levels of histamine cause inflammation in different parts of your body, leading to allergy symptoms. Common allergy symptoms include: nasal congestion, eye irritation, throat irritation, skin rashes, asthma and digestive complications.
Elimination Diet
If your doctor suspects that you're allergic to certain foods, she may recommend an elimination diet. An elimination diet removes suspect food allergens for two weeks and then re-introduces them one at a time to determine if each specific food causes an allergic reaction when consumed, according to the Mayo Clinic. Allergy tests can be used to confirm and diagnose your condition. Allergy tests use a sample of your blood and skin prick tests to observe how your body reacts to certain suspected allergens.
Diet Consideration
If you're diagnosed with a food allergy, you need to avoid consuming that particular food. Most food allergies are more difficult to manage than they first appear because most food allergens can be found in a wide range of foods. If you're diagnosed with hay fever, your doctor may recommend eliminating certain fruits and vegetables that can trigger your condition.
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